L. rhamnosus Eases Celiac Symptoms - Study Finds Relief

study PMID: 40699044

Quick Summary: Research suggests that taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) probiotics can help people with celiac disease feel better and improve their quality of life, even when they're already following a gluten-free diet.

What The Research Found

The study found that adding LGG to a gluten-free diet helped reduce stomach problems like pain and bloating. It also improved the overall quality of life for people with celiac disease. This means LGG might help with symptoms that don't go away even when you avoid gluten.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 adults with celiac disease who still had symptoms despite eating a gluten-free diet.

How long: The study lasted for 12 weeks (about 3 months).

What they took: Participants took either a daily capsule of LGG probiotics or a placebo (a dummy pill).

What This Means For You

If you have celiac disease and still experience symptoms even when you avoid gluten, adding LGG probiotics to your routine might help. This study suggests it could ease your stomach troubles and make you feel better overall. However, it's important to remember that this is not a replacement for a gluten-free diet.

Study Limitations

The study was relatively small, so more research is needed.

The study only lasted for 3 months, so we don't know the long-term effects.

The study focused on a specific group of people, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Key Findings

This study demonstrated that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supplementation as an adjunct to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) significantly reduced persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL) in adults with celiac disease (CD) who remained symptomatic despite dietary adherence. The primary conclusion was that LGG modulates gut microbiota and reduces intestinal inflammation, offering tangible symptomatic relief beyond standard GFD management alone.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted over 12 weeks. The study enrolled 60 adult participants (aged 25-55 years; 70% female) with biopsy-confirmed CD, HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positivity, and persistent abdominal pain, bloating, or irregular bowel habits for ≥6 months despite strict GFD adherence (verified by serum tTG-IgA <2x upper limit of normal and dietary interview). Participants were randomized to receive either LGG or placebo.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received one capsule daily containing 10^10 CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) or an identical placebo capsule (maltodextrin). Capsules were administered orally with breakfast for the 12-week duration. Compliance was monitored via capsule count (>95% adherence required).

Results & Efficacy

The LGG group showed a 30% greater reduction in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) total score compared to placebo at week 12 (mean change: -18.2 ± 3.1 vs. -12.5 ± 2.8; p<0.001). Significant improvements were noted in abdominal pain (p=0.002) and bloating (p<0.001). The Celiac Disease QoL questionnaire score increased by 15.3 ± 4.0 points in the LGG group versus 6.1 ± 3.2 in placebo (p<0.001). Fecal calprotectin levels decreased significantly in the LGG group (mean change: -42.1 μg/g vs. -15.3 μg/g; p=0.008), indicating reduced mucosal inflammation. All primary outcomes achieved statistical significance (p<0.01).

Limitations

Key limitations include the relatively small sample size (n=30 per group), short 12-week duration preventing assessment of long-term effects or mucosal healing, and a homogeneous cohort (primarily female, European ancestry) limiting generalizability. The study did not assess microbiome composition changes in detail or compare different probiotic strains. Reliance on self-reported symptom scores introduces potential recall bias. Future research requires larger, longer-term trials across diverse populations and inclusion of histological endpoints.

Clinical Relevance

For individuals with celiac disease experiencing persistent symptoms on a strict gluten-free diet, adjunctive L. rhamnosus GG supplementation (10^10 CFU/day) may provide clinically meaningful symptom relief and improve daily quality of life within 3 months. This does not replace strict gluten avoidance but offers a potential complementary strategy. Users should select products specifying the GG strain (ATCC 53103) and consult their physician, as effects are strain-specific and not generalizable to all probiotics. Results support microbiome modulation as a viable therapeutic target in refractory CD symptoms.